1999 Texas Tahoe Project

[Koots]

I hate the time building up all the parts to start working on it.

Should look low, mean and clean once you are done!

[95BerettaBase]

Made a bit more progress today. I removed the running boards on the driver side. I planned on doing both of them, but the PO decided to make my job a bit tougher. It looks like the stock supports were torched at some point and replaced with 1/8" square tubing, which was welded to the frame for better support. It looks better than it did though. I also put plates and insurance on it and started driving it around.

[spacecadetz26]

is yours missing the front airdam? or the rwds dont come with them? i never see rwds around here except for pickups. That sucks about the running boards, I was thinking about putting some on mine i have to jump to get in.

[95BerettaBase]

Yea it is missing the valance. The only trucks that came without them were the 2500 models on up. I have plans for a new one when the truck gets repainted. My drop shocks arrived yesterday so I just need to pick up some balljoints and I should be good to go.

[spacecadetz26]

on your fuel gauge, does it jump around when you hit a big bump or turn? the fuel and oil pressure gauges move with the turn signals also and i wonder if it just needs to have the terminals cleaned for the gauges.

[Koots]

on your fuel gauge, does it jump around when you hit a big bump or turn? the fuel and oil pressure gauges move with the turn signals also and i wonder if it just needs to have the terminals cleaned for the gauges.

I would try and clean the contacts/connectors and check your ground points, there should be some in and around the inner firewall/under the dash.

The jumping fuel gauge, is probably from worn out contacts on your fuel level sending unit.



If this image shows up, it's a diagram of the pivot end of the float assembly. As the float moves up and down with the fuel level, the opposite end has small contacts that run along what looks like little ruler lines on the white piece in the picture above. This is what gives your fuel gauge it's signal. When it gets worn out, it makes poor contact along it's path and will jump around wildly like it's out of control.

These in tank fuel pumps are lubricated by their fuel, so they tend to like being at least over 1/4 tank and you will see less fuel pump wear and sensor wear as well*

(*in my experience, they lasted longer)

Sorry for the long post, I just know these pumps inside and out now, after going through soooo many on my various GM trucks.

[95BerettaBase]

Mine does have the floating fuel gauge, my old truck did too. It is actually the stepper motor. Its connected to the back of the gauge cluster. I believe its a $20.00 ppart and that's it. I've replaced the sending unit and the fuel pump before with no luck so I traced it down to the stepper motor.

[wi_corsica]

I'm confused, if you replaced clusters because of the needles, why did you have to remove them when you took it apart?

[95BerettaBase]

I didn't replace the cluster because of the needles. The Escalade/Denali instrument cluster is a completely different cluster than the stock one that was previously installed. The differences are white needles, 120mph speedometer, and green backlit display.

I removed the needles in order for me to swap my current odometer roll over. The entire face of the cluster has to pull off so the needles have to be off. I wanted to keep the original mileage so this was needed.

[wi_corsica]

Oh ok. I didn't have to remove any needles in my 2nd Corsica when i replaced odometer rolls to go from the base to full cluster. And you did mention your needles were fading so that's why I thought that. I didn't notice until now that the speedometer has a bigger range either. Looks good!

[95BerettaBase]

Took the passenger side running board off earlier. It looks like a bit of bodywork will need to be done on the rocker panel. It looks like the PO nailed a tree stump with it. The running board was covering the damage.

Other news......myself and my brother installed the DJM shackles and the Belltech drop shocks this afternoon. It took about 3 hours total. I didn't have to use one drop of penetrating oil either. Gotta love no rust!!! I'll get some photos up in a bit.

[95BerettaBase]

Thanks for the compliments guys!!!

Yesterday, I removed the other running board on the passenger side & we installed the rear shackles and the drop shocks. I love the look of it!! I also started cleaning up the frame a bit in the rear, but ran out of undercoating. I also took several more photos of it on a level driveway & in the shade before we installed anything.

The passenger side rocker looks like it is going to require a bit of bodywork. I'm probably going to have to cut it out and weld a new piece in. It looks like the previous owner hit a large rock or something. It was torn to hell.


The pile of parts in my spare bedroom.


A couple of the interior after I cleaned it a bit.




A couple of it cleaned and in the shade.




And now for the photos of it after the rear is dropped.






As you can see, I sprayed the frame with black undercoat in the rear.


I'm going to start tearing the front end apart tonight before I head to work and am hoping to have it finished near the end of this week. I can't wait!!

[spacecadetz26]

Looks great! will look better with Tahoe limited wheels : P

[95BerettaBase]

Thanks!!! I do like the Limited wheels, but then it will just look like another Tahoe Limited. I have a plan for wheels and I can guarantee they will look awesome Originally I was going to go for a set of 454SS wheels, but I wanted something bigger than a 15"

[95BerettaBase]

Well, didn't make much progress today. I got it up in the air and have the calipers unbolted. There are jack stands under it, you just can't see them lol. I plan on taking the stock spindles off either tomorrow or Wednesday. I also cleaned and conditioned the leather seats. The back seat looks great.

Since the buyer backed out on my cowl hood awhile back, I kept it and installed that last night.